Quinta de Covela
A Dynamic Winemaking Duo Creating Excellent Wines from Vinho Verde and Douro
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Baixo Corgo is one of three Douro Region regions. The Douro region has a warm climate and high rainfall, making it ideal for the development of the Ruby and Tawny ports. The area is cooler than its bordering regions due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Although the region's wines are excellent, the majority of production is for table wines, which account for more than half of Douro wine production. The Baixo Corgo is the first place in the Douro region to commence winemaking but is taken for poorer quality than the other two in the Douro region.
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This unique area in the Douro region lies at the westernmost end of the valley at the foothill of the Marão mountains. The region is blessed with the highest rainfall in the Douro valley and is also the coolest region in the valley. Vineyard surface amounts to 14000 hectares producing excellent Porto wines, most of them marketed as just table wines. Its prized vineyards start at the highest point of the deep valley around the Douro river. The landscape of the region is also recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site since 2001. This winemaking zone is renowned for its lighter and youthful style of port wines that are enjoyed young.
Baixo Corgo wine region is one of the first areas in the Douro valley to introduce winemaking due to its highly fertile land. Viticulture has been present in this area for more than 2000 years with Roman settlements in the 3rd century. During the middle ages, winemaking was influenced by the Cistercians under the monasteries of Salzedas, São João de Tarouca and São Pedro das Águias. In the mid-17th century, port wines were recognized in the European wine market, thus export of the Baixo Corgo wines soared. The wines in the region became the primary source of income. The region became a victim of Phyllexora infestation in the 19th century which halted the production and export of wines for a while.
Due to close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Marão mountains, the Baixo Corgo region is the wettest and the coolest region in the Douro valley. The cool nature of the area allows its wines to be lighter, usually enjoyed relatively young. The vineyards stretch from the deep valleys' crests to the riverbanks of Douro River, forming a spectacular landscape designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. The area is blessed with high rainfall and fertile soil. The vineyards are protected by the mountains from the cool frosty winds. The vines are planted in high density with high yields making it unique from the other two wine regions in the Douro valley.
Several grape varieties are grown in the Baixo Corgo but the most favored grapes are the indigenous variety of Portugal. The vineyards mostly adopt high-yielding grapes like Bastardo, Tinta Roriz, and Rabigato.
Other grapes that are cultivated in the region are as follows:
Black grape varietals: Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Có, Tinta Roriz, Bastardo, and Mourisco Tinto.
White grape varietals: Rabigato, Viosinho, Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, and Donzelinho branco.
Wines from the Baixo Corgo region are quite versatile and go well with most of the meat including lamb, beef, game, turkey, chicken, veal, or Pork.
Folklore holds that the burger, a traditional American dish, originated in the German port of Hamburg as an advanced variant of German beefsteak. A burger consists of a seared beef patty between lightly toasted buns and topped with onion slices, mustard, and ketchup. Salad, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese are some of the other condiments. A burger is a simple and convenient meal that people all over the world appreciate.
Meatloaf is a basic yet adaptable dish that can be paired with wine. The dish consists of ground meat, generally beef or pork, that has been properly seasoned and formed into a loaf bound with eggs or dairy products. The seasoned loaf is then baked, grilled, or smoked according to personal liking. The cooked meatloaf is cut and served with sauce, mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables. The dish is both soothing and nutritious. The dish is claimed to have originated in ancient Rome around the fifth century. Meatloaves are popular in Germany, Scandinavia, and Belgium.
The Blanquette de veau is a simple and tasty dish that originated in French cuisine and is regarded as the perfect home-cooked food. The essential objective is not to brown the veal or butter, but to maintain the meal "en blanquette," or white. The veal is cooked with seasoning and veggies in white stock. The meal is frequently accompanied by rice, carrots, leeks, and salads. The gem of French cuisine, blanquette de veau, is a flexible dish when it comes to wine pairing. The dish pairs beautifully with Baixo Corgo wines.
The Congida River Beach is located on the enormous reservoir constructed by the Saucelle Dam, near the border with Spain. This amazing river beach is surrounded by lush flora and is part of the Douro Internacional Natural Park. The beach offers recreational activities including a floating swimming pool on reservoir waters, municipal swimming pools, and additional support amenities. There is also a jetty on the river, from which boats leave on tourist tours up the Douro, providing an opportunity to observe the diversity of the surrounding nature, sought after by birds nesting on the slopes by the river.
Museu do Douro is a perfect getaway for wine lovers visiting the Douro valley to know more about wines and winemaking that are unique to the region. The museum is operated by the regional government to promote the culture, history, and uniqueness of the Douro wine region which is also recognized as a world heritage. The museum is housed in an emblematic mansion of Casa da Companhia Velha combining modern and traditional styles. The museum also operates a library, wine bar, restaurant, and reading room that overlooks the Douro river. The exhibit in the museum includes the chronological order of images of the region since the 19th century. If you are traveling to the Douro valley for winetasting, this is a must-go place.
Discover the locations of wineries in Baixo Corgo
Just getting started on your wine journey, or jumping back in?
Taste through a selection of a great local wines.
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